JOB QUESTIONS
 by Ina Teves

THE ONE IN A MILLION YOU

Dear Ina,
Hi,

I've been a Technical Support Representative in the same multi-national company for two years. I've given my all, reported to work on time, learned what I can learn---but my boss has never noticed my performance.

Maybe it's due to the fact that in one team alone, we're 1000 people. But I have given up hope. Should I still plod on or transfer to another company?

Nicky, 23

Dear Nicky,

You’ve given your all, worked by the rules, learned all you can, and yet, your boss does not seem to know you exist. It sounds like a “Dilbert” set-up to me, and I would say, by all means, do move on! Before you do, however, consider giving it one last shot.

Ask for feedback!

Set up an appointment with your boss. Tell him you would like feedback on your performance. During the feedback session, tell him that you would like to perform better. (It might not be wise to tell him you’re interested in moving up because that’s like saying you want his job). He has to give you specific areas of strength and improvement that are related to the major areas of knowledge and technical and interpersonal skills required by your job.

If he can give you nothing more than general statements that could be applied to any of the 1,000 employees in your team, that’s should set you thinking. The job could be so standardized that there really is little leeway for you to differentiate yourself from the others. Or, your company has no career development plan for employees at your level. Or, your team is just too big for your boss to supervise all of you or even see you as an individual.

Workshop facilitators will tell you that monitoring the performance of 35-40 individuals alone is a challenge. We tend to remember the insightful types, the opinionated types, the sleepyheads, and the class clowns. We tend to lump together all those who merely pass muster, do only what is required, and say the expected. So, if the nature of your job does not allow you to differentiate yourself from the 1,000, seriously consider moving on.

Move on and learn!

Learn from this experience, however. What does it tell you about yourself? It says that you do not want to be just another nameless, numbered cog in a giant machine. It says that you are willing to work hard and work smart for recognition and advancement. Plodding on in a 9-to-5 set up might not be for you. A giant machine has a big advantage, though – it is usually financially stable. If it is a multinational, you might have the opportunity to work for its regional units. It could also offer more opportunities for training.

You also have to help your boss see you as an individual. Learn to be active in team meetings. Contribute ideas on how to improve work. Be visible in company activities where you can demonstrate your planning, organizing or people skills. Find ways to be favorably noticed and you will find that you might be given opportunities to show what else you can do – if not by your boss, then by someone else up the totem pole. Show breeding and confidence by greeting your boss when you meet him along the hallway and not just scurry away like what many employees do.

Good luck on your search!



Always,

[Ina Teves is an organizational development consultant with a change management firm dedicated to making a difference wherever it goes by journeying with the client through the entire process of organizational transformation. Email your questions to lingcoy@pldtdsl.net]